Feature: South Africans' festive mood dampened by power cuts, inflation

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Africans celebrated Christmas day for the first time in two years with no COVID-19 restrictions; however, the festive joy for many was dampened by escalating power crisis and rising inflation.

"The year of 2022 is better than 2021 because there are no COVID-19 restrictions; last year this time, we had a red notice because of COVID-19 variants. Many people can now travel to attend sports and musical events," Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, chief executive officer at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, told Xinhua.